Evaluation of Input Devices for an FPS Program Used in Law Enforcement Tactics Training

Abstract

Computer simulation as a method of tactics training has recently piqued the interest of law enforcement communities. This paper describes an experiment designed to evaluate the relative effectiveness of three input devices (keyboard + mouse combination, joystick, and gamepad) as control mechanisms for a desktop computer-based first person shooter program currently in use at several U.S. law enforcement training agencies. Participants completed three abbreviated tasks representative of the three most fundamental skills necessary to successfully navigate real scenarios within the program. Differences were found in task completion times and participants' subjective preferences between the three devices that indicate the inherent suitability of the keyboard + mouse combination as the device of choice for this type of simulation.